Joan M. Cushman (Bays) of Natick died on August 26, 2011 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston from injuries she sustained in an accident. She was 43 years old.
Born in Natick, the daughter of Richard A. and Helen L. (Hession) Cushman of Natick, Joan was raised and educated in Natick. She was a graduate of Natick High School Class of 1985. Joan went on to earn her A.S. degree in Forensic Science / Biotechnology from Mass Bay Community College in 2004. While at Mass Bay, Joan was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society in 2003 and received a Student Recognition Award for participation in the veteran’s oral history program in 2004. After graduating, Joan went on to earn her B.A. degree in Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences from Wellesley College in 2007. Joan was currently employed as a Behavior Therapist at RCS Learning Center in Natick. She was previously employed as an Associate Behavioral Educator for Beacon Services in Milford, as a Tutor at Mass Bay Community College in Wellesley, and as a Customer Care Representative for Whole Foods in Wayland. Joan has a very special love for children with special needs and also a great love and devotion to riding her motorcycle.
In addition to her parents, Joan is survived by her beloved daughter, Veronica Jane Bays of Natick; her brother, David Jon Cushman and his wife Diana of Nashua, NH; her nieces and nephew, Kristen Cushman, Nicole Cushman, and David Jon Cushman, Jr. of Nashua, NH; her sister-in-law, Nancy Cushman of Nashua, NH, and her dear friends, Jeff Harmon of Natick and Valerie Comfort of Uxbridge. She is also survived by many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Relatives & friends are cordially invited to attend Joan’s funeral service in the Chapel of the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St. (at Natick Common) NATICK on Fri. Sept. 2, at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Natick. Visiting hours will be held on Thurs. Sept. 1 from 5-8 PM.
Those wishing to remember Joan may do so through memorial donations in her name to the Douglas Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, P.O. Box 767, Framingham, MA 01701. For complete obituary, directions, & online guestbook to leave messages of condolence for Joan’s family please visit www.everettfuneral.com